Technical Assistant (Animal Diseases Surveillance)

Join FAO as a Technical Assistant for Animal Diseases Surveillance to enhance animal health systems.

This opening expired 5 months ago. Do not try to apply for this job.

FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

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Application deadline 5 months ago: Wednesday 11 Mar 2026 at 22:59 UTC

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Overview

Join FAO as a Technical Assistant for Animal Diseases Surveillance to enhance animal health systems.

You have:

  • University degree in animal health, veterinary epidemiology, one health, or related field
  • At least five years of relevant experience in dealing with animal disease control, or animal diseases surveillance
  • Working knowledge of English (level C)
  • National of Cambodia

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind. The main aim of the FAO Representation in Cambodia is to assist government to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

The FAO Representation in Cambodia is developing FAO’s Country Programming Framework (CPF) 2024-2028 as well as contributing to the development of United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2024 – 2028, and providing technical assistance to the Government counterparts to develop relevant strategies and action plans. FAO Representation in Cambodia is implementing several projects and programmes under the six thematic areas, namely Food Systems Governance; Agriculture Value Chains; One Health and Livestock Production; Fisheries; Forest, Land and Water; and Data and Digital Transformation.

Reporting Lines

The Technical Assistant (Animal Diseases Surveillance) will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Cambodia and the direct supervision of the Technical Adviser (Animal Health). The incumbent will work in close collaboration with the other members of the One Health and Livestock Productions and relevant Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) agencies.

Technical Focus

The Technical Assistant (Animal Disease Surveillance) will be responsible for the support the animal disease surveillance activities, electronic surveillance data reporting system and development of the priority animal disease surveillance SOP.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Take the lead role in drafting a national animal health (AH) surveillance document/strategy, incorporating the key observations made by several assessments (PVS, JEE, and SET) of the AH surveillance system in Cambodia; • Support development of an integrated disease surveillance and response (IDSR) for the livestock and wildlife sector surveillance; • Increase coverage of electronic surveillance data reporting systems to cover all districts in Cambodia; • Support the strengthening and institutionalization of the existing governance structure for animal health surveillance at all levels; • Support the Veterinary Service to generate a digital register of technical personnel involved in animal health surveillance who are trained on risk assessment (RA), and conduct risk assessments that are relevant to livestock and animal product import and export trade; • Assist in the development of the protocols for priority animal disease surveillance, in line with surveillance objectives, and establish SOP for regular review; • Assist with the development of an early warning system mechanism; • Generate a digital register of outbreak investigation and rapid response team (RRT) personnel and associated SOP; • Support production of informatics, such as, visualization of zoonotic disease surveillance data; • Perform other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in animal health, veterinary epidemiology, one health, or related field • At least five years of relevant experience in dealing with animal disease control, or animal diseases surveillance • Working knowledge of English (level C) • National of Cambodia

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus • Teamwork • Communication • Building Effective Relationships • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Proficient in relevant computer applications such as word processing tools and spreadsheets (MS Office-Word, Excel etc.) • Experience in results-based programme management

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
  • Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
  • Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
  • For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
  • Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

Potential interview questions

Describe a successful project you led in animal disease surveillance. This question assesses your experience and ability to manage projects effectively. Discuss your role, the challenges you faced, and the results achieved.
How do you handle data management in disease surveillance? The interviewer wants to know your expertise in data handling relevant to health surveillance. Pro members can see the explanation.
What strategies would you employ to strengthen animal health governance in Cambodia? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you explain how you would develop a standard operating procedure for disease surveillance? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Describe your experience with electronic surveillance data reporting systems. Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How would you ensure effective communication among stakeholders in animal health? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What role does early warning play in animal health surveillance? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Explain how you would train personnel on risk assessments relevant to animal health. Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 6 months ago - Updated 5 months ago - Source: fao.org